KIRIPOKUNAHELA CAVES

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Five caves (or modified natural rock shelters) with inscriptions. SITUATION: About two miles (3 km) from Okanda (note 1) and on the road south-east towards Kumana (note 2) is a jeep track to the right (probably north-west): Follow it for two miles [about 3 km] and you come to an open glade dominated by a lotus-covered pond, Kiripokuna [note 3]. Half a mile [800 m] north of this water-hole is an extensive, flat-topped, and rock hill: Kiripokunahela [note 4]. A flight of steps carved on a large boulder leads to what remains of a crumbling dagaba. At the base [note 5] are five caves with insciptions and another [cave? inscription?] on a flat rock (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?; 1983: 171). CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: There are a series of water holes, one of which has a slab of rock thrown across to facilitate the drawing of water (CEYLON TRAVELLER 1974: ?; 1983: 171). CAVE POTENTIAL: In case the caves are at the base of the hill, we can expect either wave-cut notches or possibly extensive,horizontal, and anastomosing labyrinths of vadose cave passages formed at the halocline. The water holes may represent cenotes: collapse dolines (closed depressions) giving access to the karst water table and -- but this is mere guesswork -- possibly representing diving spots.horizontal, and anastomosing labyrinths of vadose cave passages formed at the halocline. The water holes may represent cenotes: collapse dolines (closed depressions) giving access to the karst water table and -- but this is mere guesswork -- possibly representing diving spots.